Climbing device



Dec. 30, 1941.

w. A. HAWKES 2,268,148

CLIMBING DEVICE Filed Aug; 7, 1940 I v Inventor flizlz'anzijw ias' By @ww A tiorney Patented Dec. 30, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFTCE CLIMBING DEVICE William A. Hawkes, Ruth, Nev.

Application August 7, 1940, Serial No. 351,743

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in climbing devices particularly for linemen, structural iron workers, etc., and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character comprising novel means for firmly gripping a flanged metallic pole or other form of upright.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a climbing device of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efiicient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a pair of climbing devices constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing said devices mounted on a vertical H or I beam, said beam being shown in horizontal section.

Figure 2 is a View in side elevation, showing the device mounted on a flanged metal pole or upright.

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a foot plate Projecting forwardly from the plate I is an in- I tegral arm 4. Extending laterally from the free end portion of the arm 4 is an inclined, rearwardly directed, integral hook 5.

Projecting laterally from the inner side of the plate I at an intermediate point is an integral ear or lug 6. As illustrated to advantage in Fig. 1 of the drawing, the lug 6 and the hook are adapted to receive one of the flanges I of the vertical beam 8 therebetween.

It is thought that the manner in which the device functions will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Of course, one of the devices is applied to each foot. By ma.- nipulating the plate I substantially as suggested in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the hook 5 may be engaged behind one of the longitudinal marginal portions of j the flange I. The plate I is then swung downwardly and the lug 6 is engaged with the other longitudinal edge of the flange I. The construction and arrangement is such that the device cannot be removed from the beam or pole without reversing the above described procedure. Thus, safety is materially promoted. The plates I are then inclined or cocked in a manner to cause the coacting elements 5 and 6 to firmly grip the flange 1 therebetween under the weight of the lineman or other worker. This grip on the flange I will be increased in proportion to an increase in the weight on the rear end portion of the plate I. To release the grip on the flange 1 when it is desired to slide the device upwardly or downwardly on the pole or beam, it is only necessary to raise the rear end of the plate I.

It is believed that the many advantages of a climbing device constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of said device is as illustrated and described; it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A device for climbing flanged uprights, comprising a flat foot plate having a straight inner edge, means for securing said plate to a foot, an integral arm projecting from the forward end of the plate in the longitudinal plane thereof and in alignment with said inner edge, a lateral hook on the free end portion of the arm, said hook including a reversed inclined bill portion extending upwardly from thelongitudinal plane of the arm, said hook being engageable with one edge and one of the faces of a flange of an upright, and an integral ear projecting from the inner edge of the plate at an intermediate point and engageable with an opposite edge of the flange and cooperable with the hook for removably securing the plate on the upright, the portion of the inner edge of the plate which is forward of said ear, and said arm, being engageable with the opposite face of the flange.

, WILLIAM A. HAWKES. 

